Toileting and Incontinence

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling the catheter, tube or bag.
• Keep the bag below the level of the patient’s bladder at all times.
• Check frequently to be sure there are no kinks or loops in the tubing and that the patient is not lying on the tubing.
• Do not pull or tug on the catheter.
• Wash around the place where the catheter enters the body with soap and water twice each day and after each bowel movement.
• Do not use powder around the catheter entry.
• Check the skin around the catheter entry site for signs of irritation, redness, tenderness, swelling or drainage.
• Offer fluids often, especially water or cranberry juice.

The catheter bag should be emptied as often as needed or at least every 12 hours. Leg bags, which are smaller bags attached to the leg, should be emptied every three to four hours.

Gather gloves, a container to collect urine and an alcohol swab. To empty the bag, follow these steps:

• Put on disposable gloves.
• Remove the drainage tube from its sleeve (on the bag) and point it into the container.
• Unclamp the drainage tube. Try not to touch the end of the tube to any surface.
• Let the urine drain into the container.
• Re-clamp the tube.
• Clean the tip of the drainage tube with an alcohol swab.
• Re-insert the tube into the sleeve.
• Empty the container into the toilet.
• Rinse the container so it doesn’t smell.

After catheter insertion, you may feel mild burning or a need to urinate. This is a common feeling.

• Try deep breathing, relaxation exercises or a diversion such as reading or watching TV.
• Call the Agrace nurse if these symptoms persist for more than a day or two.

Urine may become dark or deep yellow/brown. This can be caused by some diseases and medicines, or can occur when you do not drink a lot of fluids. If this happens:

• Increase fluids, if you can tolerate an increase.
• Ask your Agrace nurse (or other medical provider) whether your illness or medications can cause dark urine.
• Watch for fever and discomfort.

If urine is not draining into the tubing or bag: 

• Change position.
• Check for leaking around the site where the catheter enters the body.
• Check to see if there is fullness, pressure or pain in the lower abdomen.

Agrace Hospice Care patients: Please call our Triage Team if there is leaking, discomfort, pressure or you have tried everything else and you still see little or no urine in the bag six to eight hours after you emptied it.